|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
Speak Out
Strays
Survey Question
Operating
Contesting
DX Cluster Spots
Propagation
Resources
Calendar
Classifieds
Ham Exams
Ham Links
List Archives
News Articles
Product Reviews
QSL Managers
Site Info
eHam Help (FAQ)
Support the site
The eHam Team
Advertising Info
Vision Statement
About eHam.net
|
|
You can
write your own review of the Astron SS-30M.
|
WF6L
|
Rating: 3/5
|
Sep 20, 2009 07:07
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Just OK...
|
Time owned: 3 to 6 months
|
|
I wanted a small efficient power supply with meters so I purchased the Astron SS-30M to power my Flex 5000A. The first thing I noticed was the poor quality connectors on the back. I had a hard time securing the power cables. Second, the fan, which comes on when the supply sits idle is loud.
|
|
N2DY
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Sep 8, 2009 10:34
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Solid With No RF Noise
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
I have had my SS-30M for many years now and have never detected any RF hash. Also, I have not found the fan to be particularly loud. I tend to use linear supplies in my main shack, but this one is great for travel when its light weight makes it easy to take on the road. It seems to handle a full load quite well and like all my other Astrons, it has never failed. If you need a light weight supply that can handle a medium-sized load like an HF radio, the SS-30M is all you need. If you have the room and weight does not matter, go with one of Astron's larger and heavier linear supplies.
|
|
WV1K
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Aug 22, 2009 20:23
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
WV1K
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
I own SIX bought from 2004 to 2007. There is no noise emitting from any of my SIX. I use indoor and outdoor antennas. I cannot comment on one with back lighting yet, or if those are an actual RFI issue. I will now return to my FT-2000 which is also a "bomb".
|
|
AA3EJ
|
Rating: 1/5
|
Aug 22, 2009 17:14
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Loud Fan, RFI noise...
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
Astron model SS-30M Switching Power Supply
specs:
ASTRON SWITCHING POWER SUPPLIES...
• HIGH EFFICIENCY SWITCHING TECHNOLOGY
SPECIFICALLY FILTERED FOR USE WITH
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT, FOR ALL
FREQUENCIES INCLUDING HF
• HEAVY DUTY DESIGN
• LOW PROFILE, LIGHT WEIGHT PACKAGE
• EMI FILTER
• MEETS FCC CLASS B
My observations:
1. Switchers are electronic and rely on oscillators and radio frequency to operate in their design, and this one runs at a better efficiency but...
2. The SS-30m has a LOUD variable speed fan which cools the internal components..not good for the quiet QRP, weak signal or contest shack...
3. More importantly, this switcher puts out a narrow noise band (1Mhz width??) which drifts downward in frequency at a 1-2 sec rate which totally covers all received signals up for that period. I found this to be true on my two favorite bands which I operate most - 40m and 30m. This internal generated noise band is totally unacceptable!..
Conclusion: Switching power supplies don't belong in the ham shack period!. The linear supplies are much quietier and heavier and will outlast the "New and improved designs" every time. that's why I returned the supply and ordered my old standby linear RS-35M!
73's Dave, aa3ej
aa3ej@arrl.net
|
|
KB0HAE
|
Rating: 5/5
|
May 15, 2009 20:34
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great powetr supply
|
Time owned: 3 to 6 months
|
|
This is my second Astron SS-30 power supply. The first I purchased new, and used it for several years to power an Icom IC-706MKIIG. I had no problems with the supply, and no interference from it. I eventually had to sell the radio and power supply to pay the bills. The current supply was purchased used on eBay. The only problem that I had with the second supply was that the set screws were both broken. I replaced them with allen set screws from the local True Value. I also did the fan mod on this one, so the fan runs slowly all the time. No problems and no interference from this one either. I would not hesitate to buy another one.
|
|
N7BBX
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Apr 21, 2009 10:31
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
I forget it's there
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
I purchased the SS-30 model. Powers my Yaesu FT-840 without a hitch. MOF it's so quiet - half the time I forget to shut it off. I have owned 3 or 4 Astron PS's and all have worked perfect. Time owned is collective for all the PW's.
|
|
K0KS
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jan 6, 2009 21:53
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Rugged Service !
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
My SS-30M is used to charge a 100AH battery on a timed cycle. The turn-on current is sometimes in the 30A range and drops to a few amps as the battery charges to 14.25V. This is not a recommended use but it's done very well for 7 years. The RFI hash problem is more severe under heavy loads and is easily seen on a good 'scope. A couple of caps and ferrites worked wonders. Astron must have shipped a couple of 'bad apples' from the reviews but when it works as well as mine, you forget to go back and write a review. Our county EOC just replaced several linear supplies with SS-30s... on my recommendation so I hope my luck holds.
|
|
RADIO_RANDY
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Dec 19, 2008 16:31
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Good but not perfect
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I've had this supply for a few years and have been pleased with its performance with commercial VHF FM radio gear. It is light and powerful.
However, a "problem" was discovered during the 2008 ARRL 10 Meter contest. During the 'test, I would notice a broadband noise that would start high in frequency, then sweep downward through my operating frequency. It would then reverse and sweep back up the band.
At first, I suspected something in my house or, just some noise on the otherwise "dead" band. Then, I noticed a correlation between the sweeping signal and the supplys fan going on and off. It then occurred to me that the supplys switching frequency was shifting slightly as the fan cooled the circuit off. After the fan went off, the noise went back up to where it started.
The noise was not particularly disturbing and was not noticeable on the lower bands where my background noise overrides it. However, for "weak signal" work, it is somewhat annoying. Even though my yagi is atop a 40 foot tower some 30 feet north of my house, the noise was still discernable.
With my previous bad experience with a Yaesu switcher and now this, I'll probably be going back to the old linear RS-20. If you just need a supply for your 2 meter station, the SS-30M might just be for you.
|
|
KC6UQG
|
Rating: 0/5
|
Sep 3, 2008 10:13
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
DEAD AFTER 2 MONTHS
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I used mine very occasionally to run a dual band mobile in receive mode...about a quarter amp draw. A few days ago it started putting out 14.5v and then it would drop to 3v. Turning the supply off and on would cause it to return to 14.5v (high, in my opinion) for a short while...then it would drop again to 3v.
I boxed it up and sent to Astron for service yesterday. We'll see how they do on their warranty service...but at this point I'm wishing I had purchased a "traditional" power supply from Astron.
I guess the nice thing about this light weight switching supply is that it only cost $7 to ship back for service.
Guess I'll have to go back to my 1979 radio shack supply for a few weeks until Astron returns this one.
Chris Boyer
kc6uqg
|
|
K6USN
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jun 1, 2008 20:58
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Two years and going strong
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I've had this power supply for over two years and it is performing flawlessly. No radio hash noted
HF or VHF. I've used Astron P/S for many years and have never been disappointed.
Currently the SS 30M is used with an IC 7000 and
I am completely satisfied both in the field and at home.
K6USN/E51USN
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
